“He said, ‘Allah forbid that we should take anyone but the man with whom we found our property. Otherwise, we would surely be wrongdoers.’” (79)

Regarding their words, “O al-Aziz, he has a very aged father,” it is related in the accounts that they became intensely enraged by this situation. Whenever the sons of Jacob became angry, they could not be withstood. When Reuben became angry, nothing could withstand his fury; and whenever he cried out, every pregnant woman who heard his voice would miscarry. Yet, if one of Jacob’s sons touched him, his anger would subside.

It is also said that this was a characteristic of Simeon, one of Jacob’s sons.

It is related that he said to his brothers, “How many marketplaces are there in Egypt?” They replied, “Ten.” He said, “You take care of the marketplaces, and I will take care of the king; or you take care of the king, and I will take care of the marketplaces.” They then entered upon Joseph, and Reuben said, “You must return our brother to us, or I shall let out a cry such that no pregnant woman in Egypt will remain without miscarrying.” Every hair on Reuben’s body stood erect and protruded through his clothes. Joseph then said to one of his young sons, “Go beside Reuben and touch him.” Another report states: “Take him by the hand and bring him to me.” The boy went and touched him, and his anger subsided. Reuben said, “There is surely a descendant of Jacob here.” (1) Joseph said, “Who is Jacob?”

It is also related that Reuben became angry a second time, whereupon Joseph rose against him, kicked him with his foot, and seized him by the front of his garment. Reuben fell to the ground, and Joseph said, “You Hebrews imagine that no one is stronger than you!”

When matters had reached this point and they saw that there was no way for them to secure his release, they humbled themselves and were brought low. They said, “O al-Aziz, he has a very aged father who loves him. So take one of us in his place”—as a substitute for him—“for indeed, we see you to be among the doers of good,” in your conduct. (2) It is also said that they meant: among those who have been good to us by giving full measure, showing generous hospitality, and returning our merchandise. And it is said that they meant: if you do this, you will be among the doers of good.

Joseph said, “Allah forbid”—that is, “I seek refuge in Allah”—“that we should take anyone but the man with whom we found our property.” He did not say, “except the one who stole,” so as to avoid speaking falsely. “Otherwise, we would surely be wrongdoers”—if we were to take an innocent person in place of a guilty one.